INSIDE THE BEARS.

Allred Not On Trading Block--or Playing Field Either

The not-so-mysterious disappearance of last year's top draft pick, John Allred, continues as the tight end was placed on the inactive list Sunday for the second straight week.

There has been speculation that the Bears are looking to trade Allred, their 1997 second-round draft choice who is now behind rookie Alonzo Mayes and Ryan Wetnight (though not officially on the depth chart). But Bears coach Dave Wannstedt says Allred still has a future with the team.

"It's just unfortunate for John," Wannstedt said. "I think it's going to be a situation with him where he will get an opportunity. Whether it's this week or a month from now, who knows? But he has to be ready to take advantage of it when it happens. But he's doing everything he can to prepare himself. There's nothing more he can do."

Because of the atypical lack of Bears injuries, the inactive list has come down to a special teams competition. Wannstedt said Allred was nudged this past week by linebacker Lemanski Hall, who sustained an eye injury against Pittsbugh.

Rookie center Olin Kreutz is another casualty of the special teams wars and a member of the inactive list the past two weeks.

Wannstedt will continue to rotate defensive ends Shawn Lee, Mark Thomas, John Thierry and Carl Reeves. Lee, who will wear a smaller covering to protect the broken finger on his left hand, will start again Sunday in Tampa ahead of Thomas.

Thomas, who had two sacks in Pittsburgh and who started the opener against Jacksonville, said it's not easy to platoon.

"You get into a rhythm, you set up pass rushes against a guy by what you did before that, you kind of keep offensive linemen off guard," he explained. "Obviously if the weather is real hot, I think it's good to have guys rotate in. Realistically, every guy wants to play every snap, but it can't happen. We all deserve to play, but it's out of our control. I'm just going to try to do my best when I'm out there."

Death in the family: Bam Morris flew to Texas Sunday after learning of the death of his 38-year-old brother to a heart attack. Morris was told of the news following the game in Pittsburgh. No word on when he will rejoin the team.

No blame game: Jeff Jaeger's missed extra point Sunday was his first since 1993, when he was a member of the Raiders. Was it a bad snap by rookie long-snapper Patrick Mannelly?

"No," said Wannstedt. "Jeff just missed it. I think he was shocked that we scored so quickly."